I loved this. This is exactly the kind of romance we deserve. Emotional, complicated, slow burning. I couldn’t get enough!!
I loved Wren and her friendship with Andres. I loved following her through heartbreak and finding herself. Also coming to know her family and learning truths. I ate this up!

This book made me think, cry, love, laugh, and so much more.I love the story line. All the characters had such great chemistry with each other. I hated the wife's parents just enough to still be able to forgive them in the end.

This is one of those where tragedy of different sorts bring two strangers together to help one another heal. I enjoyed the storyline, it flowed well and kept me captivated, and the characters were endearing. I will check out more from this author

Wren and Anders were very likeable characters, I liked the Airstream angle, the step family dynamics, and the slow burn into the romance. A good summer read and a good book club selection.

This book absolutely shocked me, in the best way. Such an easy read, with a twist that didn't detract from the whole storyline which I appreciated. The characters felt real and flawed but all extremely likeable.

The way this book made me so emotional.
I’ve thought about how I could possibly express what this book made me feel, but I found it hard. I enjoyed every second of this and if I could read it for the first time, I would.
The depth each relationship has is beautiful, and overall, I wanted to give Wren the biggest hug ever. I was so happy how she healed, because she deserved it so much.
Anders, another delightful character. I mean, both of them are going through a lot, but when two beautiful souls find each other and connect like puzzle pieces… it’s something indescribable.

I will start off with saying the writing was good. However, this book just didn’t do anything for me. I was really excited to read this one, but it didn’t keep my excitement. This story could’ve been beautiful and heartfelt for some, but for me it just fell flat. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, which was a bummer.

I grew bored as the story dragged and got very repetitive. I even considered DNFing because of the repetitiveness and lack of connection with the story and characters. Then when the twist came, I just didn’t feel anything. By that point, I was so ready for the story to end. This wasn’t the worse, as the story was promising, but it didn’t do it for me. I think this book is good for a certain audience.

I also listened to the audiobook and wasn’t that enthralled about the narrator.

This was a beautiful, intriguing story. The "complication" was unique and very thought-provoking. Since the author is British, her main character, Wren, uses a lot of British-isms are used. That was a bit distracting since the story takes place in the US. Also, the ending got a little tedious and dragged out. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am thankful for the opportunity to have read it.

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in return for an honest review.

An unforgettable and heart breaking story. I couldn’t put the book down! I can’t wait to read more by Paige Toon! The ending had me shook

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I’ve never read anything from this author, but I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to do so again. It’s filled with memorable and relatable characters—Wren and Anders, of course, but also Bailey and Jonas. Wren & Bailey’s dad and Sheryl also play significant roles, and there are a few other supporting characters who are also easy to visualize as people you know.

Recently dumped by her fiance, Wren leaves England to spend some time with her dad and his wife in Indiana. Her half-sister Bailey, recently married, also lives nearby so it’s an opportunity to build a relationship with her. Space from her ex- provides Wren with the time to reflect on her life and her relationships, and ultimately, to compare what she thought she felt about Scott to how she really feels for Anders. But Anders, at the neighboring farm, is clear from the start that he lost his wife and he’s not ready to let her go. The rest of the story revolves around the friendship between the four friends (sisters and brothers) and the growing romance between Wren and Anders. Both try desperately not to fall in love, but as Wren explains why her fiance dumped her, “Can’t help who you fall in love with, right?” Anders has some skeletons in his closet that need to be cleared out before he can fully give himself to Wren, and seeing him try to do that is heartbreaking.

I really enjoyed the story and the characters, the descriptions of life in rural America, and the poignant issue of the vows we make to others and how we can allow them to destroy us when utterly unforeseen circumstances prevent us from keeping them. Anders is wracked with guilt over a promise he made to his wife before he lost her and needs her parents to free him from the misery he lives with each and every day. The question is whether they can see beyond their own grief to recognize that Laurie loved him and would have wanted him to have love again. As I said, it’s a heartwrenching story, and I highly recommend it.

"Only Love Can Hurt Like This" by Paige Toon is an emotional and captivating love story that left a profound impact on me. The book poses the poignant question of whether love is worth risking it all for, and this question sets the stage for a heart-wrenching journey.

The protagonist, Wren, finds solace on her father's farm following a painful breakup where she crosses paths with Anders, a man who has also experienced loss and struggles to move forward. The connection between Wren and Anders feels perfect, but Anders is burdened by a heavy secret that could change everything if he allows himself to fall in love.

Toon masterfully creates an atmosphere that is both emotional and riveting, making it impossible to put the book down. The storyline explores the consequences and sacrifices one must grapple with when moving forward in the face of secrets and challenges. As a reader, you found yourself deeply invested, eagerly contemplating the various ways the story could unfold.

Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster with "Only Love Can Hurt Like This." Grab some tissues as you delve into the pages, fully immersed in the heavy, shattering secret that drives the narrative. Paige Toon weaves a tale that will have you pondering the power of love and the paths it can lead us down.

Overall, "Only Love Can Hurt Like This" is an unforgettable love story that tugs at the heartstrings and explores the complexities of relationships. It is a book that will leave you questioning the lengths one should go for love and pondering the multitude of ways this heartfelt tale could unfold.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Wren lives in England and has just gone through a painful breakup with her fiance. He realized he's fallen in love with someone else. Wren keeps running into her ex and his new girlfriend around town and needs to get away. She decides she'll visit her father in America, the father who left her mother and started another family. On her first evening at the local bar with her half sister, she see Anders and she's drawn to him immediately and finds out he's the next door neighbor her father. There's definitely an attraction between the two of them but Anders will barely touch her. Something is behind this behavior and then the big secret is revealed. It's BIG. Enjoyable and a perfect beach read.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. Though the writing was eloquent, it was the plot that I couldn't connect with. I am sure that there will be many people who love this book, but for me, I think it was hard to get through.

I wish I could give more than five stars for Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon

I feel like this is a book for the ages. Trauma. It's like a writer who might be a trauma-informed therapist turned writer writes a beautiful, transformative love story!

This book definitely made me a Paige Toon fan who will be reading ALL her books past and present. Her writing style is as if she's a friend opening the door into the life of a friend trusting you with their hopes, desires, secrets all of it.

This story's setting is written with you feel the setting the houses, the food, the smells and especially the emotional pain of the characters. How does one recover from the trauma of loving someone and they tell you they found someone else when they are your fiance. A serious relationship with building plans for a future together. That is trauma and Paige treats it for what it is. Not fluff but now her character is dealing with rejection and not letting it knock her down and also not letting it get the best of her and definitely not letting it sink into her bones. She is now, Wren, her protagonist trying to keep it to just letting it knock the wind out of her sails which is major work to do.

Paige Toon writes smart and gives women the complexities they deserve and the respect. She has definitely earned my respect as a reader and I can not recommend this book or author enough.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher G.P. Putnam's & Sons for the opportunity to read and review Paige Toon's Only Love Can Hurt This Much and for putting this book out into the world!

This book was a little slow for me, but once I got into the rhythm of it it was really good. The twist was an eye opener and made you really think about what would I do if I was in this situation. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Sometimes I just need a good contemporary romance in my life and this one was it! I’ve been saving my review for #Indy500 day. Anders works for an Indy race car team and spends his off time on his family’s farm in Indiana. Across the globe Wren is recovering from a broken relationship when she returns to mend her heart in Indiana with her family and crosses paths with Anders. I don’t want to say too much without giving anything away but I was swept up in this story! I really loved all the mentions of the Indy racing circuit also!
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Thank you @netgalley and @prhaudio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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If you are seeking a five star love story that isn’t afraid to tackle some of life’s most complex issues, Paige Toon’s Only Love Can Hurt Like This, is the perfect book for you!

An abrupt breakup leaves Wren seeking solace far away from her ex fiancé and the woman he chose over her. Desperate to put as much space between her and the newly happy couple, Wren finds herself in America. Staying with her father and his new family has historically been difficult. But, with her heart already broken, Wren figures things can’t get any worse. Or can they?

Only Love Can Hurt Like This is an exploration of commitment and abandonment. While most authors would reduce commitment and abandonment to polar opposites, Toon does not. She brilliantly writes how the two concepts are separated by a thin line, one that is not easily navigated.

It is hard to review and discuss this book without giving away key plot lines. Therefore in an effort to not spoil the book I will simply say it is a MUST read. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from the talented Paige Toon.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Paige Toon for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I did enjoy the story, but I just don't think it was for me. The pacing ended up being too slow for me and it was super repetitive. I can see why readers enjoyed it though!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

This book is classified as Women's Fiction and Romance. I'm not sure how I lean, but I think it's more heartbreak than either of those. When Wren loses her fiancée to another woman, she decides to visit her father who had left her and her mother and built a life with a new wife and family in the states. Sadness...written well, but sadness. Son of the neighbors, Anders is still grieving the loss of his wife and is worrying about his own brother's mental health. Sadness. As Wren and Anders both try to heal, they are drawn together but when Wren discovers there's more to Anders' grief she believes staying will only hurt more. A slow burn romance fraught with angst.
This has some amazing and complex characters who you will connect with immediately. And perhaps why it will pull at your heartstrings so strongly.

I read this one back in May and I really enjoyed it! Paige Toon is such a great author who really knows how to tell a story. The romance piece was swoon worthy. However, I liked that it wasn't the only piece of the book. The novel also centered around family and the important role they play in our lives. I would definitely recommend!